Dude, you've got your head in a good spot and a lot of folks pulling for you. Best to ya. Check out my journal for my take on recovery planning & more -- DVB

My thoughts and good wishes are with you and your family. You have an extended family with Cal Athletics...and we all are with you.
Anne Dring
Athletics Development

Tony, you are such a stud. You will do great. Enjoy all the love and attention. You have a tons fans.
Sending tons of love your way!!
Xo
Molly Beej

Tony,
We are all sending you quick recovery prayers! I can't imagine the stress and nerves you may be feeling. We know you will go great! Congrats on the exciting year you have had this far... Marriage and a son! What a blessing!
Love
The Gary Johnson Family

Tony,

Godspeed. I will be praying for you and congratulations on expected arrival of your little one.

Ed Piasta

GoTony. What a year you are having! You are and will be in my thoughts. You will love Fatherhood!
Paul Ankenman

You'll be throwing awful BP, hitting an even worse fungo, and chasing umpires with your hat backwards in no time. Good luck pal!

Ben Quinto

Thanks for the update....stay in good health between now and then so take care of yourself get plenty of rest. Say hello to your mom and dad....LY Sherry Nemec

Tony, you will do amazing! We are all rooting for you! Love, Sarah, Mike and the kiddos

Hi Tony
I wasn't as lucky as you. I didn't find out about my bicuspid aortic valve and aneurysm until I was 58 years old. I had immediate surgery (major axx kicking). Luckily I had reformed my lifestyle ten years previously by getting active and losing over 100 pounds. I am now 61 and just finished the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon two weeks ago in 4:31:42. I had asked my cardiologist right after surgery if I could now run a marathon? He told me that I now have a better heart than I have had my whole life so go for it. I ran my first marathon (Gramas in Duluth MN)13 months after surgery in4:15:14. My surgeon told me for my lifestyle I would need a mechanical valve. It is a Carbometics valve. Warfarin is not that tough to deal with. My insurance company provided me with my coaguchec machine to check my INR. I have learned what effects it, and my coumarin clinic is very supportive in changing my dosage so that I can eat what I want as long as I keep it consistent. The mechanical valve makes it easy to check your resting heart rate as you can hear it and count it as you watch the clock when you wake up in the morning. The best part is we don't have to have our valve replaced in 15 years like tissue valves. I also went through cardiac rehab at a local hospital to get me back up and running without overdoing it. I walked a 5k run one month after surgery and ran my first 5 mile race two months later.
God bless and get back in shape for the little one
John O

Love your attitude Tony. It will serve you very well in this journey. I was in your shoes about a year ago...you will do great. I chose tissue valve so don't have much input on the mechanical valves. I do recall the St. Jude and ON-X were both good choices.

Your Giants beat my Reds, so hope you win it all.

If you ever need any more info re the surgery or recovery, let me know.

Take care!

JH Mattingly

Hi Tony,

Welcome to the HVJ community. Your remind me of Aaron Boone, the major league baseball player who underwent a successful open-heart surgery for his BAV.

Good luck in your surgery. The next 2 weeks should go by quickly and before you know it you'll be recovering!!!!

Regards,

Lee Castro (Surgery 8/13/12)

Tony not sure where you see who sent a message usually the name appears but I don't see that on what I just posted. I posted at 8:08 pm Friday Oct. 26

Sherry Nemec

Tony by the looks of your fan club so far you will not be short of support. Glad you will have Heather by your side. We know you too well that you don't like being alone or the dark! Remember always, you are never alone with your family and friends close to heart. God is with you and those are the best hands to be in. Best of luck and we will be watching for any updates. We send our prayers and our love to you! Go Giants!

Great Idea Tony! Stay positive bro! You're going to do great! Let's go Giants! And let's go 4 horse in the 5th race at Lonestar!!! Love you bro so much!

Hey Stabone! I'm glad you're getting it done now. You're going to be stronger than ever and part terminator! So that's a bonus! The schaffer family loves you and is behind you. You're also going to be a great dad! Talk to you soon!

We wish you a speedy recovery Tony! Your such a champ, no surgery can slow you down. :-) If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. You have an awesome support team around you thats willing to jump in and help out with everything. Xoxo

Hey Tony,

Like you, I had a bicuspid aortic valve. Like you, I was in my early 30's when it needed to be replaced. Like you, I had severe regurgitation (and, I had severe stenosis).

That being said, if you need anything leading up to your surgery (or after), please let me know.

My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

Hey Tony,

Sounds like you have a great future ahead, I'm glad you have the right attitude for this and am here if you need anything!

Take Care,
Monica

Good luck, Stabone!! (although I know you won't need it). The Biggi family will be thinking of you. Here's to a successful surgery, a quick and painless recovery and some BossBurgers to celebrate:) Stay strong bro. We are behind you all the way!

Welcome Tony!
I have aortic stenosis and no surgery scheduled yet! I am having a TEE done on 11/8/12 due to some dizzy spells so will see then how that pans out! I will be watching your journal for news. Congrats on the baby boy!!! Take care!

Good Luck and great attitude going into this and you will get through this successfully because you deserve too. I look forward to seeing you down the road when I get into Cali Tony. Keep it strong and know I am praying and supporting you in your corner.!!!!!

As I said on Facebook. You're still MY kid even though you were big when I got you. That never changes. You are going to great. You have such a warm and loving family , wonderful new bride and you're gonna be a terrific Daddy. I have no fears about this. Ok, little tiny ones, but not big ones. Catchers are the toughest player on the team.
Love, Debra

Love you Tony! You are amazing and your courage is inspiring.....Heather's too! You have so many people sending strength and love your way, you are blessed! So happy to get to call you my brother xox Ali